Department Overview
The Gifted and Talented Program offers specialized services for students who demonstrate exceptional abilities in one or more content areas. These programs are designed to provide enriched educational opportunities and challenges tailored to their unique needs. Our G&T curricula, approved by the Board of Education, offer accelerated learning and enrichment activities to support intellectually and academically advanced students. Services include acceptance-based programs, pull-out sessions, specialized courses, advanced classes, varied grouping strategies, and classroom differentiation, ensuring students receive instruction that matches their abilities.
Honors, Opportunity, Potential, Enrichment (H.O.P.E.)
The H.O.P.E. program fosters a challenging learning environment that promotes success through rigorous, age-appropriate instruction tailored to individual differences and diverse learning styles. Delivered by a team of dedicated teachers, the program focuses on students' academic, social, and emotional growth within a supportive school setting. H.O.P.E. teachers challenge all students by offering a robust curriculum, hands-on and project-based learning, teacher-created and district-wide assessments, and the necessary support to meet the high academic standards set by the state Department of Education. Active involvement from parents, teachers, and community members is critical to the program’s success.
Beginning in third grade and continuing through eighth grade, students are selected for H.O.P.E. classes through a competitive ranking process. The curricula align with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) but are enriched using an innovative, interdisciplinary, and project-based instructional approach to engage and inspire students.
The Accelerated and Enrichment Program (AEP)
The Acceleration and Enrichment Program (AEP), is a district-wide, application-based program for students seeking an accelerated and enriched academic experience. Any fifth and sixth-grade student residing in Jersey City from public, private, and charter schools is eligible to apply. Once accepted, students embark on a three-year middle school journey, including a rigorous instructional program that addresses students' academic, social, and emotional development in a supportive atmosphere. AEP students learn in an interdisciplinary, multicultural, and project-based environment to foster educational excellence and personal growth.
AEP offers a fast-paced, innovative, and interdisciplinary curricula for sixth, seventh, and eighth-graders. The program delivers intense enrichment and acceleration across all content areas. By eighth grade, students are well-prepared for advanced coursework and the program provides opportunities for students to enroll in accelerated and advanced placement classes in high school.
AEP Admissions Process
- District school counselors and principals, as well as representatives of non-public, private, and charter schools, are invited to an informational session in which the application process is reviewed in detail.
- The AEP application is available on the district website (jcboe.org), and links to it are shared with school administrators.
- The AEP Application is available to current eligible fifth and sixth-grade students who reside in Jersey City.
- Once a completed application is submitted, students will be scheduled to take the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) as part of the admissions process.
- Jersey City Public School students take the assessment in their school during school hours.
- Students who attend private, parochial, and charter schools and homeschooled students will take the assessment on a designated Saturday.
- The application process includes reviewing the completed application and assessing it by a committee comprised of district instructional staff and administrators based on established program criteria.
- Letters are sent to the home notifying parents of their child’s status (acceptance, non-acceptance, waitlist).
- Emails are sent notifying parents of their child’s status (acceptance, non-acceptance, waitlist).
- Parent/Student Orientation is scheduled at both AEP sites, where information about each school and district is given.
Student Opportunities:
Dream Flags Event, 2024
Washington Middle School, Harrison
Grade 4 H.O.P.E. Class
Jotham W. Wakeman School, PS #6
Dream Flags Event (H.O.P.E. Grade 4)
Battle of the Books (AEP Grade 6)
Geography Bee (AEP Grades 6-8)
eMerge Initiative (Grade 5)
Invention Project STEM/PBL Projects (AEP Grades 6-8)
Young Women’s Conference in STEM, Princeton University (AEP Grades 6-8)
Estuary Explorers Field Trip, Meadowlands Environment Center (AEP Grade 6)
Go with the Flow: Plankton Adventures, Meadowlands Environment Center (AEP Grade 7)
Environmental Planning, Meadowlands Environment Center (AEP Grade 8)
New Jersey Association for Gifted Children Art, Music, Video and Writing Contests (H.O.P.E. Grades 3-8)
| District Approved Curriculum Resources |
|
Website
|
Description
|
|
|
Grades K-5:
Mystery Science is an interactive, inquiry-based program that brings science to life for students in grades K-5 through engaging lessons, hands-on activities, and exciting videos. Aligned with state and national science standards, Mystery Science focuses on building critical thinking and problem-solving skills by guiding students through real-world mysteries and scientific phenomena.
The lessons are designed to spark curiosity with interactive storytelling and easy-to-understand explanations, making science accessible and fun for all learners. Each unit includes step-by-step activities that students can do in the classroom or at home with everyday materials, encouraging exploration and creativity. For parents, Mystery Science offers resources like activity guides, conversation starters, and overviews of what their child is learning, making it easier to stay informed and support science exploration at home.
|
|
|
Grades K-8:
myON is a digital library that provides students in grades K-8 with access to thousands of books, including specially curated science reading lists designed to deepen understanding of key scientific concepts. These curated lists align with grade-level standards and focus on topics students explore in class, reinforcing their learning while sparking curiosity.
Students can choose from a wide range of engaging, high-quality science texts that complement classroom lessons and activities, helping them explore topics like weather, ecosystems, and engineering. Parents can easily stay involved through myON by tracking their child’s reading progress, accessing recommended reading lists, and engaging with discussion prompts provided for each book. With the ability to read anytime and anywhere, myON supports both literacy and science learning at home, empowering families to encourage their child’s growth and love for science.
|
|
|
Grades 6-12:
Savvas science programs for grades 6-12 offer a robust, standards-aligned curriculum designed to deepen students’ understanding of key scientific concepts through hands-on labs, interactive digital tools, and real-world problem-solving activities. These programs cover a wide range of topics, from life sciences and chemistry to environmental science and physics, providing engaging, inquiry-based learning experiences that prepare students for advanced studies and future careers.
The curriculum includes multimedia resources, virtual labs, and adaptive learning tools that help students explore complex scientific ideas while developing critical thinking and analytical skills. Parents can access resources like at-home science activities, lesson summaries, and student progress tracking tools, making it easy to stay informed and support their child’s learning. For more information and resources for parents, visit the Savvas Parent Support Center.
|
|
|
Grades 9-12:
McGraw-Hill science programs for grades 9-12 provide a rigorous, standards-aligned curriculum that engages students in deep explorations of biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science. These programs are designed to build critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills through hands-on labs, interactive simulations, and real-world applications that connect classroom learning to future STEM careers.
With resources like digital textbooks, virtual experiments, and adaptive assessments, McGraw-Hill ensures that students are well-prepared for college-level coursework and standardized exams. Parents can stay informed and support their child’s learning with access to progress reports, study guides, and online tools designed to reinforce science concepts at home.
|
|
|
Grades 9-12 (AP Classes Only):
Albert.io is an online platform that provides students enrolled in AP science courses with high-quality practice questions, detailed explanations, and targeted review materials designed to boost exam performance. Tailored specifically for AP courses like Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Science, Albert.io helps students master complex topics by offering standards-aligned practice questions that mirror the rigor and format of the actual AP exams.
The platform includes immediate feedback and in-depth explanations that help students understand the reasoning behind each answer, supporting deeper learning and retention. With the flexibility to practice at their own pace and focus on areas where they need the most improvement, students gain confidence and build the skills necessary to excel on their AP exams. For parents, Albert.io offers progress tracking tools, insights into their child’s strengths and areas for growth, and resources to better understand the AP content, allowing them to support and encourage their child throughout the study process.
|
|
|
Grades 9-12:
Newsela is an online platform that transforms current events and science topics into engaging, standards-aligned articles tailored for different reading levels. In science classes, Newsela helps students explore up-to-date, real-world phenomena while building critical reading and analytical skills.
Each article is available in multiple reading levels, ensuring that all students can access challenging content while growing their science literacy. With content ranging from environmental issues to breakthroughs in technology, Newsela connects classroom learning to relevant, real-world topics. For parents, Newsela offers resources such as parent guides, discussion prompts, and access to the articles their child is reading, making it easier to stay involved and support science learning at home.
|
|
|
Grades 6-12:
Science News is an educational resource that provides students with access to current, real-world scientific discoveries and research through articles tailored for young readers. Used in advanced science classes, Science News connects classroom learning with the latest developments across fields like biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science, helping students see the relevance of science in their daily lives.
The platform offers a wide range of articles, from cutting-edge breakthroughs to in-depth explorations of key scientific topics, encouraging critical thinking and discussion. With content updated regularly, students stay informed about ongoing scientific advancements while improving their literacy and comprehension skills. For parents, Science News offers access to the same articles students are reading, along with discussion guides and topic overviews, making it easy to engage in meaningful conversations at home and reinforce the science concepts their child is exploring in class.
|
|
Initiative
|
Description
|
|
|
Grades 4-8:
The FIRST LEGO League Robotics Challenge is a hands-on program where elementary and middle school students design, build, and program LEGO robots to complete themed missions while learning core STEM concepts and teamwork. This program is ideal for curious, creative students interested in problem-solving, coding, and robotics, offering them opportunities to develop critical thinking, collaboration, and leadership skills in a fun and supportive environment.
|
|
|
Grades 5-12:
The Jersey City Medical Center/Barnabas STEM Showcase is a science fair where students from grades 5-12 present research projects in STEM fields, competing for awards and opportunities to advance to regional and state-level competitions. This program is ideal for students passionate about scientific inquiry and innovation, offering them the chance to gain recognition, enhance research skills, and connect with professionals and peers in the STEM community.
|
|
|
Grade 5:
The eMerge Initiative is an exciting competition where 5th-grade students use Minecraft Education to tackle various challenges focused on climate change and sustainability. Students are tasked with designing and building innovative, eco-friendly solutions within a virtual world, such as creating sustainable buildings or addressing environmental issues. This program encourages creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking, while teaching important concepts like environmental stewardship, project management, and design thinking. Through these challenges, students gain hands-on experience in addressing real-world problems in a fun and engaging way.
|
|
|
Grades 7 and 11:
The Raspberry Pi Initiative is a program where students learn coding, electronics, and problem-solving by building and programming small, affordable computers for real-world applications. It’s perfect for students interested in technology, innovation, and hands-on learning, offering them a fun and practical way to develop critical STEM skills and creative thinking.
|
|
|
Grades 7-11:
The NJCU STEAM Academy is a summer enrichment program for middle and high school students, offering advanced instruction in math, science, and technology through interactive projects and hands-on activities. Designed for motivated learners, the program fosters a strong academic foundation, encourages growth, and provides exposure to college-level learning in a supportive and engaging environment.
|
|
|
Grade 9-12:
The Rutgers Pre-Medical Honors Program is an immersive experience for high-achieving high school students interested in pursuing careers in medicine, offering hands-on exposure to medical fields, mentorship, and university-level coursework. It’s an excellent opportunity for students passionate about healthcare and science to gain early insights into medical professions, build strong academic foundations, and connect with professionals and peers who share similar goals.
|
|
|
Grades 9-12:
The Rutgers Junior Science and Humanities Symposium is a research-based competition where high school students present original STEM projects to peers and experts, competing for scholarships and the chance to advance to national levels. This program is ideal for students interested in scientific research and public speaking, offering them opportunities to enhance their skills, gain recognition, and engage with a community of like-minded individuals.
|
|
|
Grades 9-12:
The International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is a prestigious competition where high school students present innovative research projects in various STEM fields, competing for scholarships and global recognition. This program is ideal for motivated students passionate about science, technology, and research, offering them the opportunity to showcase their work, network with experts, and gain valuable experience for future academic and career pursuits.
|
|
|
Grade 9-12:
The FIRST Technology Challenge is a robotics program where high school students design, build, and program robots from scratch to compete in challenges, fostering teamwork, problem-solving, and engineering skills. Ideal for students interested in STEM, coding, and hands-on learning, providing them with valuable experience in technology, leadership, and collaboration.
|
